Author: Nathan Schleicher
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What is the Heart of STEM in Spaces for Play?
By Nathan Schleicher, Founder of Mischief & Wilde A mentor once told me that the heart of STEM isn’t just about science, technology, engineering, or math—it’s about inquiry. It’s about process. It’s about curiosity. In other words, it’s not about having all the answers—it’s about being deeply invested in the questions. And what better classroom…
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Art You Can Play With…
When aesthetic beauty meets the invitation to play, something extraordinary happens—it sparks connection, fuels creativity, and brings communities together. It creates joy.
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From Feelings to Forms: Engaging Communities’ Creativity
“HOW do you know it’s fun? What does it FEEL like?” I challenged a group of students and teachers, steering them beyond their usual thoughts about their playground structure favorites. When the conversation shifted to feelings…
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Why Sustainability Drives My Design Choices
When I first began my career as an industrial designer, I specialized in exhibit design for trade shows and museums. It was an exciting and dynamic field, but I was shocked to learn that the exhibit industry is the second-largest producer of waste, trailing only the construction industry. Due to the temporary nature of exhibitions,…
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In the News: The Washington Post Interview
I was thrilled to have contributed to a Washington Post article recently called “A parent’s guide to the rules of the playground” written by Caitlin Gibson A few excerpts below: “A playground is a place where kids figure things out, which means parents have to figure things out, too… … Your kid wants to go up…
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Where Does Inspiration Come From?
For me, incorporating play into the design process often sparks fresh ideas. Once, I pitched a playground concept by imagining it as an editorial submission for a children’s story. Another time, I completed an entire sketch phase using Crayola crayons. Inspiration is everywhere—museums, nature, shops, or even books. Once we’ve consulted our muses, how do…
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Building Better Play: My Mission in Design
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” As a child, I found this question daunting. Even now, it’s a tough one—after all, when do we ever stop growing and learning? My journey into design began unexpectedly at the Detroit Auto Show during my senior year of high school. A concept sketch, next…